Connecticut western news., 1887-06-01
THE PURPLE PLUME.

Mirrored in the clear waters of the Rhine were the gray towers of Aver boch's ancient castle.
 The fourteenth century had just be- gun and over the great German land had ruled Albert the First, the unworthy son of his great sire, Rudolph, tho first of the Hapsburg line.
 When Rudolph was but simple count, long before ho ever dared to dream that he would one day rule as Emperor over great Germany, tho castle of Averboch was held by stout war; rior, known only too we'll as Everhard the Red, because he was ruthless and bloody soldier. Everhard was count, and yet his castle was but robbers den, from which the red bearded lord sallied forth at the head of his mail clad ruffians to seize the property of honest men weaker than himself.
 But when Rudolph of Hapsburg as : sumed the German crown, he gave warn ing to all the robber knights within his dominions that their reign of terror was over.
 ''Live in peace or war with me-" said the iron-handed emperor, and he meant every word of the simple utterance.
 And Everhard the Red, grown bold from long career of crime, laughed at the warning.
 'All Germany's might cannot tear me from my walls at Averboch," he cried in contempt. "Let this new made en- peror come, and I, tho Redbeard of the Rhine, will teach him that he is no more powerful because the doting monks have numblcd few prayers over him, and placed an empty crown upon his head, than he was when he was but the Count of Hapsburg."
 And Rudolph did come at the head of mail-clad army that made even stern Everhard wink in wonder.
 A line of steel the German Emperor drew around the castle, and coolly he sat down and waited for famine's gnaw. ing tooth and thirst's bitter pang to fl iyht his battle for him.
 The willy warrior did not wait in vain, for after being shut up within the strong tower for four weeks, the desperate | Everhard could endure it no longer, and so, at the midnight hour, saliied forth at the head of his force and endeavorcd to cut his way through the llne of mailed men that was crushing the life out o him.
 Tho robbers knights found foemer worthy of their steel, and, surrounded by overwhelming numbers, the Rhcnisi Redbeard died soldiers death.
 Serving under Rudolph was distan relation of the dead knight, poor, bu worthy soldier, named Conrad or Kip hausen, and as he had neither lands no wealth, nothing but his good sword ant pretty young slip of girl, the German emperor bestowed the castle and land of Aberboch upon his devoted foll over
 Rudolph prcspered and Conrict thrived, and, after years had passed when the German ruler yielded to death his faithful soldier did not long surviv him. - zr
 Ia 129S the battle of Worms wa fought, which gave to Rndolrh's so Albert, the imperial crown of Germany the crown that on account of his cruc and tyrannical acts, had been denie' him.
 For three years after that battle th
 German emperor was engaged in war ? fare-frst with the king of Bohemia , and afterward with the pope, Bonifac VIII. But when the wars were ended { Albert commenced 10 reward the tool 3 who had aided him to climb to tn [ heights of power.
 fh Foremost among tho emperor's favor T ises was soldier af for,unc. 1,u Isl.